The programme and features have been developed to engage with contacts at all levels from chief executives, through to unit catering managers and chefs. The Expo events will address the areas of common concern that the public sector shares – working to tight budgets, nutritional regulation, recruitment and retention, training, and mental health and allergens – as well as tapping into key catering trends such as meat-free diets.
With the world’s attention firmly fixed on the issue of climate change following the conclusion of the latest round of international talks, commitments and agreements at Cop26 in Glasgow, the Expo will be helping caterers understand better the role they can play.
Highlights include:
TUESDAY 15 MARCH 2022
Chris Packham, CBE. The BBC TV Springwatch presenter, will be delivering a keynote address that looks at the enormous damage to the planet, and life on it, that is being done by the way humans consume food and material goods. He will be suggesting ways in which we, as individuals, as well as companies, organisations and governments can change the food system from farm to fork in ways to mitigate any negative impact on the environment.
Victoria Prentis, Minister of State The Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). Prentis will be delivering a keynote via Zoom, where she will outline the Government’s vision for public sector food and catering, the proposed changes to this policy area and how people can share their views on the new proposals.
WEDNESDAY 16 MARCH 2022
Dr Rupy Aujla, founder of ‘The Doctor’s Kitchen’ will be hosting ‘Public Sector Catering Kitchen’ on the second day of the Expo, where he will chat with leading public sector chefs about their work and daily challenges while they demonstrate some dishes they prepare for their customers. These sessions will showcase the incredible skills across the sector, focussing particularly on health and nutrition but also on delivering tasty food on a budget. Dr Rupy will talk to the chefs as they demo and interact with the audience and other chefs as they chat about their jobs, careers and the food they create.
Line-up includes:
Rob Chambers - LACA School Chef of the Year 2021
Varun Shivdasani - Loughborough University
Kevin Carron & Helen McDonough – HM Prison Service
Sanish Thomas & Sinto Mulavarickal - NHS Chefs of the Year
Aaron Watson - NACC Care Chef of the Year
As part of this session, Dr Rupy will also produce one of his quick and extremely healthy dishes, talking about his journey with food to discovering how diet is so important to a healthy body and mind.
New for 2022: Exercise Joint Caterer – The Expo will host Exercise Joint Caterer, the flagship event for Armed Forces chefs and catering teams. A tri-service competition with a wide range of culinary classes, it will take place over two-days at the Expo. It is a showcase of skills and challenges chefs at the highest level, demonstrating the role military caterers play in the delivery of an effective armed force. The competition attracts hundreds of chefs from across the forces, many of whom will be competing and supporting their colleagues. Exercise Joint Caterer is renowned in the industry for generating a vibrant and exciting energy that will inspire visitors and exhibitors alike.
Exhibition
The Expo includes an exhibition which will feature more than 100 industry suppliers showcasing their food, drink, equipment and software solutions for public sector caterers.
The Public Sector Catering Expo is free to attend, you can find out more and register for free entry here.
The event is supported by the key industry associations representing the public sector catering industry all of whom will be available over the two days for visitors to talk with to and find out more about the work they do across the industry and the benefits of working with them.
For more information and to register for free entry visit: www.pscexpo.co.uk
